While Scott Air Force Base continues to be the main economic driver of Southwestern Illinois, we also checked in with several other top employers in the area.

Scott Air Force Base

Christine Spargur, community relations chief

Total employees: 13,002

How has employment changed in the past year? We have not had any change in mission growth since the 2005 base realignment closure process. When the government shutdown took place, about two-thirds of our civilian population — 3,500 employees — were furloughed. We are back to normal operations now.

Budget? We are working within a framework of our average annual budget of $145 million. At this point, the Department of Defense and Scott AFB are operating under the continuing resolution that was recently approved by Congress and signed by President Obama.

How has employment changed in the past year? We’ve had a 2.6 percent increase in the number of employees from fiscal year 2012 to fiscal year 2013.

Budget? Our fiscal year 2013 budget was $272.2 million and our fiscal year 2014 budget is $279.1 million.

Are there any expansions on the horizon? Since fiscal year 2006, SIUE has spent more than $300 million on construction and infrastructure improvements, adding new state-of-the-art buildings and enhancing and expanding existing structures.

Memorial HospitalAnne Thomure, director of hospital and community relations

Total employees: 2,482

How has employment changed in the past year? We have reduced staffing through attrition and by not filling vacant positions until patient volumes warrant; we have not limited positions affecting delivery of direct patient care.

Revenue? $267.5 million. Revenue has declined as a result of continued decreases in federal and state reimbursement, health care reform and the downturn in economy along with the loss of funds due to sequestration.

Are there any expansions on the horizon? Memorial is moving forward with its plans to build a 94-bed, $124 million satellite hospital in Shiloh, which is expected to be completed in early 2016. The satellite hospital, Memorial East, is a key to the overall strategic plan.

Are there any expansions on the horizon? St. Elizabeth’s Hospital continues to add service lines and make additional improvements to our facility. We have invested $16 million in improvements and upgrades to the Belleville facility and adjacent medical buildings. We have recently added an intensivist program that employs physicians who specialize in caring for the critically ill patients in our critical care unit.

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